Obsessive Flames of Love

Dressed in a velvety maroon knee-length dress, which hugged her slim curves. Her hips swayed while a dazzling charm radiated from her exposing her skinny legs. With her maroon stilettos clicking on the white marble floor, her straightened hair flowed with the cool breeze giving her an exquisite glow.

08:00 PM. Tanvi reached Ocean restaurant, Mumbai when her colleagues were already present in the private room. Looking at the underwater restaurant, her mind blew, and she gaped at the mesmerizing beauty. Entering their hall, with the aqua presence a refreshing wave overwhelmed her.

The large dining table surrounded by beige walls with the noise of flowing water felt so surreal that they jumped out of joy.

“Ugh! You came finally,” They complained with a pout.

She chuckled, “I’m just fifteen minutes late. Don’t make a fuss out of it.” Tanvi cheekily said, “Happy project closing party guys,” she made a toast to her colleagues.

They ordered a feast of Indian cuisine. While eating, “Tomorrow is Gandhi Jayanti! We will be having a holiday.” One of them mentioned with excitement.

“Yay!! Then we can have a lot of fun today without any bother.” Other colleagues shouted with delight. With the laughter and babbling, the hall seemed lively, but her thoughts drifted away.

“Tomorrow is October 2nd, which means it’s 1st today.” It hit her.

“Ugh! It’s been more than a month since I met Riaan.” Tanvi dozed off when a sudden rush of emotions seeped through her nerves. She felt suffocated and decided to come out of the room to inhale fresh air.

Swiping her fingers across her mobile, she texted Ameera while walking. “Babe, my brain was spinning around Riaan.”

“What happened now?”

“We became very close, but he never once asked me about marriage, did he not like me?”

“How can you ask such a dumb question?”

“Ugh! Did it sound stupid? But still, I’m confused about his behavior.”

“What’s bothering you? Blurt it out now.”

“On one hand, he wants to spend time with me and is desperately trying to impress me, but never mentioned love nor marriage. What the heck is this?”

“Relax, dude. We’ll sort it out tomorrow at my home.”

Tanvi was immersed in her mobile without noticing her surroundings and dashed a tall man with chiseled jaws. Her head hit his chest while he held her waist to balance her from falling.

With the familiar fragrance, Tanvi raised her head and gazed at his smirked face, her pupils bulged out, and her world stopped working when panic struck her. She shivered with his presence, and her breathing ceased.

Clenched her dress tightly while uneasiness swept through her nerves. Her shiny black eyes showed fear when he was scrutinizing her. She pushed him aside and ran away without turning back.

Encountering her after many years, Dhruv felt complex emotions in him, yet decided not to get bothered and began moving into his reservation.

Tanvi stood at a window and pants heavily for air. She breathed through her mouth to grasp as much air she could. With trembling hands, she wiped beads of sweat across her forehead and left the restaurant.

…

Tanvi curled up on her bed when some vivid pictures came across her. With the sound of her laugh and acting cozy to screaming like a crazy girl, she woke up from her nightmare in a shock.

She breathed heavily while checking her surroundings. “Thank god. I’m in my room.” Getting down from her room, she strode to the refrigerator and grabbed a water bottle. While returning in a daze, “What sort of games my mind was playing?”

…

Tanvi rolled off on her bed to fall asleep, but she failed miserably with the haunting flashes. She took a deep breath and walked to the balcony to relieve her anxiety. Looking at the full moon in the pitch-black sky, she felt unexplainable turmoil inside her. No matter how hard she tried to control her emotions, it became impossible for her.

Held her head in annoyance, she booked a cab at 02:00 AM and Hopped in the car with a troubled look. With empty roads, she reached the destination in fifteen minutes. Gazing at the apartment, she sighed with ease.

Tanvi strolled in a daze until she reached the big wooden door on the fifth floor and pressed the bell rigorously. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Ameera stumbled her foot looking Tanvi at that time.

“What the fuck? Am I dreaming?” Ameera scratched her head while yawning. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and gazed at the rooted woman. Seeing the same presence again, Ameera was baffled. Instantly, her sleep vanished by looking at the gloomy look on Tanvi’s face.

“What? You’ll stand like that for an eternity?” Tanvi questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Huh! Come in.”

“Hmm.”

Tanvi strode towards the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed with a sullen expression. Ameera followed her without speaking a word, she was observing Tanvi’s every move.

“I’m sure something happened. But, What was it?” Ameera brainstormed for a clue, yet she found nothing. Tanvi sat in a stupor while her hands played with the night lamp beside the bed.

With the glowed to dim illuminations, endless silence danced in the room when the sky was dark. Ameera took a deep breath, “I couldn’t take it anymore. I need to know what was bothering her.”

Ameera moved towards Tanvi and held her hand. Tanvi slowly turned her head and faced Ameera with a depressed look.

“What happened, babe?”

“I saw him today.” Tanvi didn’t look in the eye.

“Who?”

“The man whom I fear the most.”

“You mean…?” Ameera remained frozen with the hint.

“Dhruv!!” She mumbled in a low tone, but Ameera heard it.

“What? When did that happen?” Ameera shouted with popped out eyes.

“At Ocean yesterday night.”

“Hmm… Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not.” With that, Tanvi threw herself onto Ameera and sought her comfort.

Ameera patted her head while a lump was formed in her throat. Tanvi lay on her lap and curled herself like a toy. With Ameera beside her, she slowly drifted into sleep.

…